Jamaica is 1st in Caribbean to name human trafficking monitor

Jamaica became on Tuesday the first Caribbean country to appoint a national rapporteur on human trafficking. The Ministry of National Security announced that Children’s Advocate Diahann Gordon Harrison will fill the new post. Gordon Harrison, an attorney, was appointed as Children’s Advocate in January 2012.

The Cabinet approved Gordon Harrison’s designation to “enhance Jamaica’s anti-trafficking profile and exhibits the seriousness with which the government of Jamaica regards this issue,” the ministry said in a statement.

One of the primary functions of the national rapporteur will be to create a more objective reporting system on the issue.

Gordon Harrison will have the authority to obtain from the relevant authorities, including the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Jamaica Constabulary Force, any information necessary to carry out her duties.

She is expected to conduct independent investigations of reports of alleged instances of human trafficking as the need arises, to…